HostsMan

About the Download.com Installer

The Download.com Installer securely delivers software from Download.com's servers to your computer. During this process, the Download.com Installer may offer other free applications provided by our partners. All offers are optional: You are not required to install any additional applications to receive the software you selected.
Learn more

We chose to install HostsMan and its documentation but not the optional HostsServer, a local HTTP server for browsing with custom hosts files, or the HostsOptimizer, which is designed to prevent delays caused by the DNS Client Service. HostsMan's installer also gave us the option to disable our DNS Client Service and make a backup of our current hosts files on installation; we chose the latter option. HostsMan's tiny interface has just three icons: Disable Hosts, Update Hosts, and Open Hosts. The program also has a system tray icon for quick access to most functions. The File menu includes an Import/Export option, while the Hosts menu accesses updates, duplicates scans, backups, and exclusion lists. We found some interesting extras in the Tools menu, such as the HostsMan Editor, a DNS cache flusher, and a Command Prompt option. HostsMan created a basic hosts file list when we clicked the scan button. The program displayed the number of hosts names in its small primary window. When we clicked the big H icon, HostsMan disabled all hosts, turning the icon from green to red. Clicking the icon again toggled the hosts on and the icon back to green. We clicked the Folder icon and opened the HostsMan editor, which displayed our hosts files in a list view. We were able to edit and modify these files in various ways, including directly editing IP addresses. We could even insert entries and type in comments. The Possible Hijacks button seemed interesting, and we like the ability to open hosts directly in Notepad.

HostsMan does much more than we can explain in limited space, but it proved easy to use at every turn, with plenty of documentation and assistance. It adds a powerful capability to Windows, and while it's not for beginners, those who need it will wonder how they got along without it.

None really, but default backup option might be good rather than unchecked by default plus ability to run automatically in Vista/7.

Summary

Does it's job well. Might be nice to have a compatible version running in the background in Vista/7 (needs admin rights to run so can't run properly at startup). If you update manually now and then though it's fine.

Maybe the SHOUTING 'bookerking' ticked one of the ad blocking options - these are reported to block some sites falsely. Also if you have a customised hosts file for some reason (web dev, ad servers, corporate) and you don't choose backup and the 'Merge' option it will cause problems.

This is down to the knowledge of the user though, not a fault of the software as such - it does it's job and pretty well. May be backup by default would be good rather than an option, an perhaps a warning?

The program is easy to use and does get rid of the overloaded Hosts file and back to the original file as set up by Windows

Cons

Clicking on the link to stop programs writing to Hosts file does not seem to always work. After about 18 hours after using I find that the Hosts file has become contaminated with a nasty that redirects your browser to unwanted sites.

Summary

The biggest problem with this software is that the option to prevent writing to the Hosts file is short lived as some things always penetrate this option and get written to the Hosts file. One particular bit that always gets in is a redirection of FireFox browser that takes you to a malicious site after being directed to "www.redirec.com\index.php"This can be temporarily cured by running HostsMan again but the situation returns within 24 hours.

If legit website is redirected from a blocked ad website, it will not show up. Have to run as admin in order to enable. (will turn gray indicating hosts are disabled)

Summary

HostsMan is probably the best program I've downloaded. It blocks websites using your default IP so when browsing, the reported page will not be able to connect. It has a default large database, using reported websites from HPHosts with currently over 120,000 blocked websites. It updates almost everyday, and adds many websites in just one update. The program does not take much, with less than 10MB when installed. But, IP redirection is a problem. If a legit website is previously redirected by an ad blocked website, it will not load. For example, a legit sponsored ad search result on Google is clicked. Normally, it will first be directed to an ad website, then redirected to the link. In HPHosts, it blocks the first ad website, so you can not proceed to that legit website. It also requires admin rights to run, but is no big problem.

i find it strange that download.com don't mention a hosts file in their articles about online security. one of the most essential pieces of online security there is is a hosts file. you place the ip address/http address etc of something you want to block from ever connecting to your computer into it, and it never will. this program is one of a few great ones that lets you create your own hosts file, or download one already made. it's best to download an already made one (i recommend the MVPS one from the choices it gives you), and then import anything into you it you want afterwards (you will however have to re-add these things when you do an update). I've been using the MVPS hosts file with this app for nearly a year now, and it has blocked so many online threats from connecting to my computer i dread to think what may have happened without it. it's also great for blocking adverts, as a lot of addresses of adds are included in the already made hosts files. this is great for speeding up browsing as you dont have to wait for the adds to load up, it also blocks pop up adds.

a hosts file should always be a part of any article on internet security, though it is very overlooked, and rarely does. this is something that i cant understand, and has to change.

E-mail This Review

Thank You, !

Report Offensive Content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.